Game 1: Portland Trailblazers @ Toronto Raptors - mcwu11's Dynasty

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Game 1: Portland Trailblazers @ Toronto Raptors

Posted on July 8, 2012 at 08:31 PM.

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As the season opener at home begins for the Toronto Raptors, the fans are buzzing with excitement for this new and improved Canadian team. High hopes have been building ever since the acquisition of Kyle Lowry in early July, and now the Toronto Raptors finally have a chance to showcase their ability.

Unfortunately, this was a less than stellar performance by the Raptors. Facing a revamped Trailblazer team, the Raptors were easily dismantled in the first quarter as the Trailblazers jumped out of the gates with a 9-0 run. Foul trouble was keeping the Raptors from cutting into the lead, as Lowry picked up two early fouls in the opening minute. The Raptors battled hard, cutting the lead to 4 at one point, but Portland answered back with a big run of their own, blowing the lead out of the water in the fourth quarter, en route to a 22-point loss for the lone Canadian team.

After the game, Casey was understandably upset with his team's performance. "We didn't execute our defensive plans that were devised specifically for an excellent shooting team like Portland. Even when they did miss, we didn't rebound nearly well enough, allowing for a plethora of second chance opportunities," Casey said. "On the offensive end, turnovers led to multiple fast break opportunities that ultimately generated that huge run by Portland."

On the bright side, the production of the rookies for the Raptors were more than stellar. Valanciunas led all players with 23 points on 70% shooting and 9-9 from the free throw line. Despite his lack of production on the glass, his offensive game was a pleasant surprise. Terrence Ross also held his own with 15 points in the game.

A strong, balanced attack from the Trailblazers put the Raptors defense in disarray, as all five starters were in double figures for points. Wesley Matthews led the team with 20 points.

Portland Trailblazers at Toronto Raptors
Nov 7, 2011	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Portland (1-0)	27	26	27	36	116
Toronto (0-1)	18	27	25	24	94

Portland Trailblazers
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Raymond Felton	26	5-7	1-3	3-4	2	8	2	1	2	14
Wesley Matthews	29	6-10	1-2	7-8	2	3	1	0	0	20
J.J. Hickson	29	7-9	0-0	1-3	6	2	3	0	0	15
Lamarcus Aldridge	24	8-10	1-1	0-0	8	2	1	1	2	17
Roy Hibbert	19	6-13	0-0	1-1	6	1	0	1	0	13
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Meyers Leonard	19	4-6	0-0	1-2	5	2	2	0	0	9
Damian Lillard	16	1-4	1-2	3-4	1	5	0	0	1	6
TEAM TOTALS		45-76	4-12	22-31	42	29	11	3	7	116

Toronto Raptors
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Kyle Lowry	24	4-13	0-3	2-3	2	7	2	0	3	10
Demar Derozan	30	6-15	0-1	5-5	9	1	1	2	2	17
Landry Fields	22	2-3	1-2	1-1	6	2	1	0	3	6
Andrea Bargnani	34	7-16	1-2	4-6	7	3	0	0	0	19
Jonas Valanciunas	34	7-10	0-0	9-9	3	1	1	0	1	23
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Terrence Ross	18	4-8	0-0	7-9	1	0	0	1	0	15
Jose Calderon	17	1-3	0-0	2-3	0	2	0	1	2	4
TEAM TOTALS		31-69	2-8	30-36	32	18	5	4	11	94